Costly Consumption: 10 Incomprehensibly Expensive Cognacs

Most Expensive Cognac: To bear the name “cognac”, this 300-year-old spirit must be produced from a specific blend of grapes, distilled twice in copper stills and then aged for at least two years in French oak casks– and that’s just for the cheap stuff. The liquid is made, quite literally, from the waters of life, and some collectors have dedicated the finances of their own lives to its pursuit. Want to learn a bit more about some of the most expensive cognac ever made? Pull out a snifter, pass the Courvoisier and hit the jump for 10 of the most expensive cognacs ever bottled. [image courtesy: smadness]

10. $5,000 – Courvoisier L’Esprit Decanter

Made from a variety of blends, some which date back to Napoleon I, Courvoisier’s L’Esprit is smoky and rich, with fragrances of cinnamon and dried apricot flowers. The flavor is initially powerful but has a mellow aftertaste.

9. $5,500 – Jenssen Arcana

Aged 98 years in Oak barrels, Jenssen’s Arcana is powerful, “extraordinarily” concentrated and only bottled, sealed and certified upon request.

8. $6,000 – Hine Triomphe Talent De Thomas Hine Crystal Decanter

Each bottle of Hine’s high-end Talent de Thomas is bottled in a Baccarat decanter and placed within an actual cigar humidor made from Maccasar ebony and Honduran Mahogany which helps preserve the spirit’s delicate floral bouquet.

7. $6,400 – Frapin Cuvée 1888

A rare blend of Cognacs from Frapin’s reserves, the Cuvée is bottled beneath a 24-karat gold stopper in a twisty crystal decanter that looks like a prop from a community Shakespeare staging. Flowery flavors combine with sweet spices, honey and toasted vanilla notes.

6. $7,500 – Martell Creation Cognac In Handcarved Baccarat Decanter

Martell’s rare cognac is a “reinterpretation” of a batch first casked at the start of the 19th century. The Grand Extra has a soft flavor that starts as dried fruit and marmalade and fades into notes of walnuts and cedarwood.

5. $7,900 – Le Voyage de Delamain

A blend of cognacs from Delamain, Le Voyage was bottled in 500 crystal decanters, most of which were quickly bought or reserved by eager collectors. It’s rumored to have a complex taste that fades from Russian leather to tobacco, coffee and Eastern spices.

4. $12,900 – Hardy Perfection 140 years Cognac

Supposedly the “World’s oldest known unblended cognac,” this offering from Hardy was limited to 300 Daum crystal decanters. It’s an exceedingly rare cognac that is said to taste of coffee, chocolate and oak.

3. $55,000 – Remy Martin Cognac Black Pearl Louis XIII

When you swish Remy Martin’s deep amber-colored Black Pearl Louis XIII around in your mouth, you’re actually tasting 1,200 40 to 100-year old cognacs blended together. The swill is said to smell of flowers, fruits and spices, it’s flavor a mixture of ginger, cinnamon and Cuban cigars.

2. $200,000 – Hennessy Beaute du Siecle Cognac

Insert a bronze key, turn, and Hennessy’s Baccarat crystal-bottled Beaute du Siecle rises up on a tray. Housed in a melted aluminum and mirrored glass case this mixture is blended from Hennessy’s reserves of 47 to 100-year-old cognacs.

1. $2 million – Henri IV, Cognac Grande Champagne

An elixir mixed since 1776 by the direct descendants of King Henri IV, each batch of Henri IV Dudognon Heritage is aged in a barrel for more than 100 years and capped inside a 24-karat gold-dipped and 6,500 diamond-bejeweled bottle.

- - - - -

Thanks for reading, StyleCravers, Diggers, Stumblers and otherwise. Many thanks to friend of StyleCrave Victor Barrera who both suggested and inspired this feature concept. Let us know when you pop that Louie XIII, Victor…

So what did you think? Would you ever spend that kind of money on a liquor as fine as any of these? Are these prices a bit shocking in light of the financial troubles in the greater world? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, we cherish them. If you enjoyed this article, you’re certain to love our coverage of the Most Expensive Whiskies in the World. Check that out too!

And as a little added bonus, check out one of our favorite Camus Coganc commercials…

I have a bottle of Hardy Perfection. Not like the one pictured from the elemental series, (actually the 3rd bottling), but from the first, original bottling. It is in a Daum , numbered, decanter. Rests in a wooden, locking, casket style box. Is accompanied by signed, numbered, certificates of authenticity, as well as a signed, matching numbered, lithograph by Carzou, entitled 'Cognac Perfection'.
How does one go about selling something like this? If anyone knows a broker, or dealer who may be able to help, please let me know, or post on this site.

Just the thought of being able to lip any one of these remarkable blends brings tears of ecstacy to my eyes. It is so wonderful to be able to dream. Oh indeed it simply is just mere thoughts right now, but oh if I had the money. All these gangster rappers and bso called big time ballers throwing their money away on what they think is something so wonderful when they truly can experience what is truely an elixir from Heaven.

"MM..tastes like "Russian leather" Ahahaha!"
Dueschey, You made my day. I drink for that, a full bottle of RM Black Pearl, all by myself, and yes, I will use one tulip shaped crystal glass, taster's choice.

i have a bottle of a fine cognae 70cl a napoleon 40%vol by michael raffaud it is a17770 migron in agreen bottle as it got any price???to keep in safe place or is just one to drink ????? i have never drink it befor

(4 sale) high priced cognac and crystal decanters. 2 of which you can see here on this web site. I have Remy Martin louis XIII in a hand blown Baccarat crystal decanter. Also I have the Hennessey cognac in a hand blown Baccarat crystal decanter. Both cognacs were aged a hundred years before they were bottled. And identical to the ones pictured on this site. Even if you had empty bottles from these two the Baccarat alone is highly collectable and worth a fortune. I offer both at less than half the cost posted on this site. If you would like to see more pictures please contact me . (360) 359-5366. Or ( Joe.Granger777@yahoo.com )